First Time Home Buyer Tips

Here's what to know.

Here are the pros and cons of mobile home life.

Moral of the story: A trusted real estate agent knows the market best and is a good team captain to let lead the negotiating process.

Ah, HOA fees: You either love them or hate them.

It’s certainly not “passive” income.

You don’t need to own a house to have this problem.

Here’s what the experts had to say.

It’s imperative.

Don’t overlook them.

They could cost you big time.

There’s definitely an option for every type of forest sprite.

Is yours on the list?

The short answer: It varies.

It can save you some serious cash in the long run.

It ranks 6th on Zillow’s Hottest Markets list for a reason.

A breakdown of the pros, cons and tradeoffs.

Find your new zip code on this list.

You're gonna know every listing on the MLS.

Sometimes you can get the best of both worlds when you’re on the border of two states.

Whoa! Was it really that easy?

Avoid purchasing a home with these kitchen island flaws.

It’s what gives your home character and soul.

White bedding and paint really, really matter.

They learned the hard way so you don’t have to.

A DEI expert breaks down the steps to take before you buy.

Sorry, bi-fold doors: Your time is up.

The real reason you’re seeing more AI-generated images in home listings now.

It's incredibly practical.

Here’s why.

These horror stories aren’t pretty.

It’s controversial.

Try one of these methods to ward them off for good.

Rural life has some comfy, cozy perks.

See how many you can guess correctly.

I’m never leaving.

Sorry, Mom.

More than a third of American households are renting their homes — thought not all of them want to be.

Buying a home when you’re self-employed is notoriously tricky. After all, an up-and-down income cycle is—understandably—less appealing to mortgage companies than a dependable paycheck. That said, it’s far from impossible. Freelancers and small business owners alike can absolutely be approved to buy the home of their dreams. It just takes a little extra prep work. If you’re thinking about entering the real estate market while still being your own boss, listen up.

Buying a home is a momentous time in one’s life and, accordingly, congratulatory pats on the back abound — as does unsolicited advice. Everyone has insight about everything from how to pick the perfect house for you to saving money on home repairs. However, there’s not nearly as much fanfare when it comes time to sell your house.

While you might feel ready to invest, a bad credit score can make mortgage lenders wary and cause your interest rates to soar through the roof.

Many buyers, especially first-timers, are enthralled by the prospect of buying a short sale — and it’s not hard to see why. Bottom basement sale prices make these transactions seem like a no-brainer. Unfortunately, most of the time, these too-good-to-be-true deals also come with a huge catch. Before you commit to buying a short sale, read this first. We’ve outlined a few red flags that you should be aware of prior to taking the plunge.

They’re important in this seller’s market.

To make the closing process as painless as possible.

Small houses can be more economically feasible.

It’s an uncommon request.

According to real estate pros.

Don’t spend a ton on a cheaply built house.

Black paint for the win, once again.

Ever heard of them?

And it doesn’t involve ponying up more cash than your competitors.

It actually makes so much sense.

According to real estate pros.

Their availability is steadily declining.

It’s typically not a good thing.

They’re not even green.

According to a very honest real estate agent.

Why not add a little personality to utility?

They're affordable *and* sustainable.

Our business relationship was different from our friendship.